backyard

"Nogg" Makes Keeping Chickens Stylish

Filed under: Pets, Green, Architecture & Design

Thanks to the local food movement and that whopper salmonella scare earlier this year keeping chickens has become an increasingly popular alternative for people seeking healthy and safe ways to feed their family. But although backyard chicken coops are popping up in all kinds of traditionally non-farming neighborhoods it's been a tough and slow transition getting them into upscale areas. Traditional chicken coops just don't go with the decor.

Enter the "nogg," a giant egg-shaped designer chicken coop that makes domestic farming possible without ruining your beautiful backyard landscape. Designed to house a small group of just 2-4 chickens, the nogg is made of naturally bacteria-resistant cedar wood and features secure locks to keep the foxes out and a flap door for easy access to fresh eggs every morning. It's the brainchild of furniture designer and engineer Matthew Hayward and Creative Director Nadia Turan and sprung up out of frustration at what an eyesore traditional chicken coops are. Get more info or order a nogg for your backyard here.

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Tags: backyard, chickens, farming, outdoor living, urban farm, urban farmer, urban farmers, urban farming, urban farms, yard

10 Tips for Successful Backyard Entertaining

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Events

Few things are better than enjoying good food, good friends, and good weather, and entertaining outdoors is a wonderful way to enjoy all three at once. Here are some tips to make sure your backyard get-together goes off without a hitch.

Skip tablecloths, or if you must have them invest in enough tablecloth weights to keep the wind from carrying everything away.
Set out at least one more cart or table than you think you'll need, because there's never too many places for guests to mingle, for drinks and glasses to accumulate, or for whatever else.
Control bugs and define a perimeter with incense or citronella tiki lamps.

Tags: backyard, entertaining, entertainment, luxist-awards, main-pedia, outdoor entertainment, outdoor-entertainment-pedia, OutdoorEntertainment, party

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$100K for a Backyard Makeover

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

While it seems extreme, homeowner Jennifer Bater couldn't be happier about her yard - or lack thereof. The Chicago resident said that the small yard between her brick house and brick garage was "like a kiln" and simply a place that you'd rather not go. Instead of going the route of many homeowners, installing plants and trees, she hired her interior designer to create a Spanish retreat for her.

A 5-sided gazebo, which can be seen in the picture, is attached to the garage and is outfitted with marble basin-style fountains and a weatherproof ceiling fan, in addition to chairs and tables. The water and powerlines have been laid underground, to minimize "urban distractions" and a deck and stairway were added on to the back of the house, leading down. The gazebo is surrounded by roses and other perennials. The cost was around $100,000, but Bater seems to think that it was worth every penny. "When you sit out there in the gazebo, you are of the garden, not in the garden. It's cool."

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Tags: backyard, chicago, landscape, landscaping, remodel, remodeling, spanish

ArtBuzz Fire Pit

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Fire pits are definitely a hot item for the yard this year, literally and figuratively. ArtBuzz takes the combination of fire and metal a step further by adorning fire pits with a sharp, elegant flame design. The Bowl O' Fire fire pits are huge. Available in two sizes, one measures 19.5" deep and 37" diameter and weighs in at 150 pounds ($650), while the other is 19.5" deep, 41" diameter and weighs 175-lbs ($695). The weight isn't surprising when you consider that they are hand cut from 1/4-inch thick recycled steel. Since the bowls are hand-cut, each one is slightly different, guaranteeing that you'll get a unique piece that is also a showstopper. All of the bowls have a warm rush finish, so there is no need for any maintenance, either.

ArtBuzz also makes matching Torches by the same process, which are a great way to accent the yard, and a miniature fire pit/grill that is a great choice for cooks, or simply for those who don't have enough room for the full sized pit.

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Tags: art, artbuzz, backyard, decor, fire, fire pit, firepit, flame, grill, heat, outdoors, summer